Detectives are investigating whether the attacker was hired reports the Irish Independent, as officers are confident that the ambush was not random and could be linked to a possible “tangled relationship”.

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It is understood that gardai have already identified a suspect, and as part of their investigation raided a couple’s south Dublin home last night and seized mobile phones and a laptop.

Gardai at Blackrock are investigating the incident and keen to speak to people who might have been in Rosemount Terrace, Fosterbrook, Merrion Woods and Seamount Apartments between 9:30pm and 10:30pm on Friday.

Anybody with information or dash cam footage of the area are asked to contact them at 016665200 or the Garda confidential line on 1800666111.